Cats to be included in Airdrie animal bylaw

The City of Airdriehas voted to include cats under its animal control bylaw for the very first time.

• Do you have a fancy or unusualcatcontrol system?Emailus your photos atcalgaryphotos@cbc.ca.

The new rules won't kick in until January 2017 and details are still being worked outbut the furry felineswill certainly have their freedom cur-"tailed."

But that's a good thing, says Melanie Lacroix, who has built some prettyfancy digs for her cats, many of which are rescues.

"I get lots of calls about lost cats, or hurt cats, or dead animals that were found on the side of the road," said Lacroix who owns The Cat Next Door, a cat-sitting business that operates in Airdrie and Calgary.

"I've even had to see someeuthanized,"she told CBC News.

Lacroix hasbuilt her very own "catio" a front and backyard patio to keep her fur-babies safe and happy.

Enclosures run the gamut from home-made to high end, even running into the thousandsof dollars.

Cats also fall under theResponsiblePet Ownership Bylaw in Calgary. Owners must ensure their cats:

• Have aCity of Calgary licence.
• Remain on the owner's property.
• Not disturb the peace by howling or crying.
• Not damage others' property.
• Not scatter garbage.
• Not chase, threatenor attack a person or an animal.

Fines for failing to comply with the bylaw range from $25 to $1,500.